Beta vulgaris L.
(syn. Beta maritima L.)
Beetroot, Sugar Beet, Mangold Wurzel
A variety of dermatoses, including allergic contact dermatitis, photodermatitis, and mechanical injury have been reported. Nothing is known about the nature of the allergens nor the phototoxic principles.
Dermatitis in the sugar beet industry affected two thirds of workers employed in the crystallising department. Sugar appeared to be responsible for the dermatitis and secondary infection was common (White 1934).
A food handler who had contact dermatitis showed positive patch test reactions to beet and to spinach (Spinacia L.). Control tests were not recorded (Morris 1954). A positive patch test reaction to beet pulp was observed in a dock worker who had allergic contact dermatitis from cattle fodder products including maize and barley (fam. Gramineae) and brans (Malten 1970).
Beet pollen may cause pollinosis (Wodehouse 1971).
Nater & Grosfeld (1979) reported contact dermatitis from the herbicide Betanal(TM) (containing phenmedipham) which is used on sugar beet.